Because of his refusal to join the coven, Raber was not invited to participate in the Yule celebration. Ioni was worried that he would be angry, but he seemed so tired and withered that he only nodded and grunted when she told him.
“Will I be allowed to come to your initiation ceremony?” he asked after a moment.
“Yeah,” she answered. “You"re my special guest. My parents wouldn"t be interested in that and Arlie and Nathan both have to work that day. Anyhow, this is an important day for me and I want my important man there with me.” She leaned across Raber"s parents" couch and nuzzled his neck, nipping at his ear, hoping for a reaction. He wasn’t looking any healthier than he did at Thanksgiving. In fact, he looked worse. He was paler, thinner, and there was a dull look to his eyes that wo
